Tips and tricks of the trade

Greetings Everyone! I was so pleased to learn that Chris Chamberlin, the regular Editor of this section, just became a grandmother again with her 3rd granddaughter. Chris has asked me to be her guest editor this month while she is helping her daughter with all those things that daughters need help with when they have a brand new baby. This wonderful addition added another girl to her family of two toddler sisters and a supporting husband and father. When Chris asked me to help her, I was thrilled to be able to aid my dear friend in this way of service to others.

Many of you may have already read Chris's interview with me, which addressed my career and business activities in professional show handling; judging obedience and conformation; training tracking for titles in search and rescue; obedience competition; and, my own grooming business called Bayview Professional Canine Grooming.

I would like to address some general grooming area tips, which saved me time and money. Your grooming equipment layout and comfort is one of the most important considerations. The easy accessibility of tools, which saves time in grooming applications, helps protect and care for the equipment. Hence, the number of tool replacements by accidental dropping is lessened. Tool accessibility also benefits your own health and ease of grooming by reducing back, foot and leg stress and anxiety.

One of my favorite augmentations to my clippers was to install a magnet on the wall next to my grooming table to hold my clippers so that they would be out of harm's way when not in use. This is critical when dogs are active on the table, knocking everything off on it that isn’t attached, and also, this device saves many a clipper from housing cracks from dropping and also gives you the known reliable place where to reach for them when beginning to use them again. In addition, I would also attach my clippers to the ceiling by placing the cord in a lamp hook, allowing only enough leeway for the clipper to dangle an inch above the ground if dropped. So, if it falls for any reason, it will not reach the floor, where damage ultimately results, and it was a great asset when I was clipping the dog since it keeps the cord out of the way over the top of the dog. So the issue becomes the best placement for the cord, somewhere out of the way, while working on the dog becomes a non-issue.

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